Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: Enhancing Achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Axiomatically, advances in education, higher education, and information and communication technology are considered to be great achievements of human endeavor. Such advances are expected to enhance aspirations essential to meet a number of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, in particular SDG4: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Needless to say, education is a fundamental goal that contributes to fulfillment of several other goals of equal importance. As such, higher education is a major factor in poverty alleviation, SDG1: “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”, through enhancing job opportunities, SDG8: “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that illiteracy and poverty are two major factors that produce poor health and poor social development, SDG3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. It is also known that low literacy impacts on mortality and quality of life.